A couple interesting pieces of news hit the airwaves last week, both dealing with the cost of fuel. As bassers, we’re probably more affected than most when the price at the pump jumps the wrong way. Beside all the normal 9-5 commutin’, the kid’s after school activities, and whatever other chasing around you do, there are lots of trips to the lake and back, plus the fuel needed for a long day out on the water chasing greenies or brownies. Many have even speculated that the big decline we’ve seen in tourney participation in many of our state and local events can at least, in part, be attributed to the extra fuel costs associated with our sport.
The first article as cirulated by the AP stated that in 2011, the average American family spent $4,155 on fuel expenses this year, the most in any year since 1981. Many of you probably remember the fuel shortage days of the late 70’s and early 80’s, even the push in BASSMaster magazine to buy aluminum bass boats, and tow with 4 cylinder engines.
From the news release;
- “When the gifts from Grandma are unloaded and holiday travel is over, the typical American household will have spent $4,155 filling up this year, a record. That is 8.4 percent of what the median family takes in, the highest share since 1981.”
The other interesting piece, first mentioned over at Bassin’ Fan, was the Biobor EB contest results tracking the fuel mileage of Elite pros Bradley Roy and Cliff Crochet. A couple snippets from that piece;
- “Assuming they were a fair representation of the Elite field (average of 44.96 days fished), an Elite angler burned an average of 18.73 gallons of gas per day. Thus, the nearly 100-angler field burned about 84,000 gallons of gas over the eight-event season.”
- “The national average price of gas during the 2011 Elite Season was $3.74. That worked out to $70.05 worth of gas per angler, per day. Over the Elite Series season, the total cost of boat gas for all of the Elite anglers combined was likely in excess of $300,000.”
I’m guessing most bassers fuel costs aren’t quite on par with the likes of an Elite Series pro, but the question on the table today is, has the high cost of fuel this year in any way affected your bass fishing? Did you fish less tourneys, find fish closer to the ramp, or downsize your boat or tow vehicle in 2011?
11 Comments
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Chad Keogh
December 26, 2011 at 10:55 pm
For me, fuel prices aren’t really a factor. I don’t drink (much), don’t smoke, and have no other hobbies other than bass fishing. So, if it costs an extra $20 to fill the truck and boat after an outing than it use too, so be it…
Scott
December 27, 2011 at 10:20 am
I recently sold my boat, tow vehicle, and a large amount of tackle to end my foray into bass fishing. About 4 years ago I completely quit tournament fishing. Soon thereafter I figured out that a family trip to the lake to fish on one weekend day cost me close to $100 in fuel only, I decided to get out all together. We now shoot archery and hunt….much cheaper! I still follow the bass information sites, as I still have a passion for the sport. But unless fuel prices and the over-all cost of fishing comes down (or I hit the lottery), I cannot justify the expense that fishing carries with it!
Chad Keogh
December 28, 2011 at 3:03 pm
If you have multiple hobbies, then it is an option to give up bass fishing. For me, it’s all I do that’s just for me. If I had to give it up, I might as well crawl under a rock and die…
admin (mostly Jay)
December 29, 2011 at 5:57 pm
That’s a bummer man! Canoe?
Darin
December 27, 2011 at 3:38 pm
I didn’t spend as many days practicing before tournaments as I normally would other than that, I’d say that it definitely prevented me from upgrading to a newer boat and tow vehicle.
Scotty Melvin
December 28, 2011 at 6:26 am
Wow, a hundred dollars in gas for one day of fishing? I gotta hear that story…..
Terry Battisti
December 28, 2011 at 8:40 am
Scott, it’s pretty simple. Any trip I take my fuel expenses are way over $100. I live a minimum of 80 miles from the nearest launch ramp. The next nearest place is 125 miles. So, assuming I use 15 gallons (that’s not much at all) in the boat per day (at $3.50/gal) and my truck (diesel) gets 12 mpg (at $4.00/gal), my fuel cost for a day at the closest ramp costs $105.83. My fuel costs at the next ramp cost me $135.83. That’s just fuel. Add food, drink, ice, ramp fees, and miscellaneous tackle that you lose during the day that needs to be replaced and the costs approach $175 for a day of fishing. This doesn’t include entry fees and option pots if I were to fish a tournament.
Terry
Boar Hog
December 28, 2011 at 8:06 am
I downsized my boat and motor in order to help with fuel expenses. I went from a 225 on a 21′ boat to a 200 on a 20′ boat. You wouldn’t think that would make much difference, but it has. I’m also more cognizant of how I drive during tourneys. I still run WOT to my first spot on tournament mornings, but after that I try to run where my outboard delivers its best economy. I’ll bet I’ve saved at least 30% on fuel costs since I made the changes.
Scotty Melvin
December 28, 2011 at 3:06 pm
I must be spoiled, because I have about 15 lakes within about 15 miles of me. I can’t imagine having to drive 80 miles to fish. I guess I don’t consider gas for my truck when I consider gas for fishing. And some of our lakes are small enough that we use our trolling motor all day, and only have to run the big motor for a minute or two a couple times….
admin (mostly Jay)
December 29, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Yep, spoiled….
Steve
December 29, 2011 at 9:47 am
Fuel costs, poor economy and severe drought have had a huge impact on fishing here in Texas in 2011. License sales are way down. Every time I go to the lake it is a minimum of $50-100 in fuel (vehicle and boat). For a non-tournament trip I usually put 25-30$ in the boat and plan my fishing day around using that much fuel, just to keep costs down. The days of running to the opposite end of the lake are over. I also don’t open the 225 up much anymore except on tourney day, just to save fuel. Motor manufacturers need to continue increasing the fuel economy of outboard motors.